Think the Bears’ playoff chances are done without Jay Cutler? Can the same be said about the Texans without Matt Schaub? Not according to Brian Billick and Jim Mora. Hear what the coaches have to say about those teams’ chances going forward, as well as other hot topics around the league in this week’s podcast. Subscribe to Podcast on iTunes

With the monotony of Indianapolis’ annual contention for the AFC South stifled by Peyton Manning’s injury, Houston and Tennessee will battle for the division lead Sunday as we approach the season’s midpoint.

One of the bummers about playing in five leagues (three mandated by my employment) is that seemingly every touchdown scored on your typical Sunday and Monday either crushes you, or helps you. I feel like I have every player on every team on at least one of my squads.

The waiver wire offers slim pickings, kind of like the Shakey’s Pizza buffet after the Thursday afternoon lunch rush. So you can imagine my surprise when in one of my leagues Antonio Gates was on the wire. And imagine me nearly spraining my thumb while maneuvering my mouse to try to add Gates to my squad. Sadly, my waiver claim went unfulfilled but this leads to a bigger lesson: Don’t drop Gates.

On Tuesday, we told you that five quarterbacks are still on pace to break Dan Marino‘s single-season passing yardage record. As it turns out, 2011 is shaping up to be a banner year for passing efficiency as well.

We know, you’re good and ready for the lockout to end and for free agency to begin. As the Commissioner said in Radio City Music Hall last month, we hear you. So if we can’t start free agency yet, let’s at least talk about it.

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